Pests
Biosecurity probe after pest found in NZ for first time
An exotic insect species, the poplar sawfly, has been detected in Dunedin - the first time it has been found in New Zealand.
New tech trialled ahead of 1080 drop
A Taranaki conservation group is trialling the use of drones, battery-powered self-priming traps and infrared cameras ahead of a 1080 drop in Egmont National Park. Audio
Wasp Wipeout
The group, Conservation Volunteers has joined the fight to take the sting out of wasps. Audio
No sign of stoats on Great Barrier Island
After more than two weeks, the hunt is winding down for elusive stoats on Great Barrier Island. The Island had been considered stoat-free until two of the predators were reportedly spotted there… Audio
1080 poison drop declared 'outstanding success'
The poison drop in Northland's Russell State Forest all but wiped out rats and dropped possum numbers by 80 per cent, according to DOC.
Jan Wright heads a new conservation effort in the south
Former parliamentary commissioner for the environment, Dr Jan Wright, is involved in a new conservation project. It aims to have the whole of Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park pest and predator-free in the… Audio
Weasel spotted at Zealandia
Wellington's pest-free wildlife sanctuary, Zealandia, is redoubling its efforts to catch a dangerous intruder after the sighting of a weasel inside its predator proof fence. The ecosanctuary has been… Audio
Farm pests costing $2.3 billion in lost productivity
Pests targeting New Zealand pastures are costing up to $2.3 billion in lost productivity each year, an AgResearch study shows.
Explosion in rodent numbers after long summer
An unusually long, dry summer has caused an explosion in rat and mice numbers, creating extra work for groups working towards a predator-free New Zealand. Pest controllers say they're gearing up for… Audio
Antipodes Island finally free of rodents
One of New Zealand's most remote islands, Antipodes Island, is officially free of the 200,000 mice that once lived there. Video, Audio
Pest plants targeted in Abel Tasman
An $80,000 war against weeds is about to begin in Abel Tasman National Park.
Mystery droppings on predator-free island likely kererū
Fears a rat may have made its way to an offshore predator-free kākāpō sanctuary have been allayed after DNA analysis of the suspect droppings revealed it to likely have come from kererū.
Myrtle rust spreads to Wellington
The disease's spread is a sign that myrtle rust could be here to stay, and MPI may have to switch its focus from eradication to management. Video, Audio
Predator-Free 2050 announcement
Predator-Free 2050 has developed a four-part research strategy to save New Zealand's biological heritage. Audio
Gene drives: not a silver bullet for killing pests
Gene drives offer a way to hack the traditional inheritance process to make sure a specific trait is passed on to the next generation. Could they be used to get us to Predator Free 2050? Audio
Auckland Islands target of pest removal plan
Feral pigs that have run rampant on the Auckland Islands will be targeted in a large scale pest removal plan for the main island in the group of subantarctic islands, Conservation Minister Maggie…
Predator-free plea: 'We need more than just a rallying cry'
One year on, support for Predator Free 2050 – the bold government-backed project to rid NZ of possums, rats and stoats by 2050 – is gathering pace, but scientists are warning it's an impossible goal.
…Fur flies over possum poisoning
New Zealand's goal to become predator free by 2050 is wasting a valuable resource in the process, a possum-fur industry veteran says.
A date crisis with an evil weevil
Not every weevil's evil, but the red palm weevil is threatening global date supplies. This could mean fewer date scones, and more importantly, could contribute to greater political instability in the… Audio, Gallery
Rat explosion prevents rifleman move
A plan to relocate New Zealand's smallest bird to Wellington's Zealandia Ecosanctuary has been put on hold after a decline in the population. Audio